Improvement in horse-powers



J. H. PLAIN. Horse-Power,

No. 20'7J56. Pa ten ted Aug. 20, 1 878;

WITNESSES IN'V'ENTOR: Jam/W J ATTORNEYE.

904/4 4 Gi /MK New", 0 c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JOHN H. BLAIN, OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE-POWERS} Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207,156, dated August 20, 1878 application filed June 25, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. BLAIN, of Round Rock, in the county of Williamson and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Horse-Powers, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to combinea of Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

a ais aframe-work of suitable character and dimensions, resting upon the ground or a floor where the power is to be used. I) is the main driving-shaft, supported in bearings c on the frame a, and carrying the band-wheels d d, for connecting the power to the machinery. The tread-wheel is upon the main shaft b, and is made of rims e 6, connected by braces or stays I ff, and with armsor spokes g g, secured at their inner ends to the collars h on the main shaft 1). The arms 9 g are placed centrally between the rims e 6, so that there is one set of arms to each section or wheel, as seen in the drawing, adaptin g each section to two horses-one at each side of the arms g.

Lugs i t upon the inner edges of the rims e c, passing across from one rim to the other, form the continuous treading surface at the inside of the wheel. k 70 are braces, secured rigidly upon the frame a, in an inclined position, at each side of thetread-wheel and adjacent to the rims e 6. These braces k it have short arms I l projecting inward over the treadingsurface of the wheel, the arms I l having upon them the whittletrees m m, and the arms I 1' serving as hitching-bars for tying the horses head to. n is a friction-brake upon a fulcrum,

10, onthe frame a, and operated by a handle, q,

to press the brake it against the outside edge of the rims e e.

The horse or other animal to be used for propelling the wheel is placed at the bottom of the wheel, upon the tread-surfaceformed by the lugs i i and between the arms I l. The whiffletree m serves as a means for connecting the traces of the horse, and the animal is fastened bya halter to the arm I.

The wheel shown in the drawingis adapted to receive two horses-one at each side of the arms 9 g; but if a wider wheel is used the number of horses may be increased. At one side of the wheel I have shown the arms I 1 adapted to receive a horse, so that it will stand upon the lowest part of thetread-surface, and in this position the animal is the draft-horse, and exerts his power in a manner similar to the ordinary tread-power. At the other side, the horse which I call the lever-horse is somewhat ahead of the draft-horse, and works more by his weight upon the arms g, which act as levers to impart a revolution to the shaft b.

With this form of wheel only one horse need be used, as it can be operated by one or two; but the wheel may be made especially adapted to one horse by constructing it narrower and with asingle treading-surface.

By the construction shown gearing is disdispensed with, and I am able to furnish a cheap and effective power for running cottongins, thrashers, pumps, wood-saws, 850., and it may be operated by horses, oxen, dogs, or other animals.

The wheel may be made of wood or metal, and of a size suitable for a fixed or portable power.

I do not limit myself to the details set forth, as they may be varied without departing from the essential features of my invention. It is evident that two horses may be used on the same treading-surface, one in advance of the other, and the braces It It" made adjustable for that purpose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The braces 70 7c and arms I l, in combination with the treadrwheel, substantially as and for purposes set forth.

JOHN HARVEY BLAIN.

Witnesses:

W. O. HUssnY, R. W. VAUGHAN. 

